Abstract des Autors

The results of studying the older athlete provide inference to the possible physiological limits found at various ages and the effect of physical activity on the aging process. As a result of the increase in development of atherosclerosis with age and the high intensity effort involved in track competition, the importance of a maximal stress test prior to entering into competition was discussed. The results presented showed 40- to 75-yr-old champion track competitors to have excellent performance, cardiopulmonary function, and body composition characteristics when compared to sedentary and moderately trained subjects of similar ages. Although maximal performance and oxygen intake decreased with age, a dramatic reduction did not occur until after age 65. Body composition measures, maximal pulmonary ventilation, resting heart rate and blood pressure, and serum lipids were similar for subjects up to age 65, but showed a significant decrement thereafter. The causes of the decrement in performance and physiological function with age could not be determined, but were thought to result from a combination of factors, e.g., aging, quantity and quality of conditioning, and number of years in continuous training. Verf.-Referat